f EDITORIAL PAGE ''FIGHTING TOP4.Y FOR TOMORROW'S VICTORY" The PEOPLE'S OBSERVER Office 2017 N. Williams Avenue, Portland lZ, Oregon Telephone WEbster 3840 WILLIAM H. McCLENDON, Publisher Established 1943 The People's Observer is p. valiant defender against segregation and its related evils; a vigilant champion for freedom, equality, liberty and justice; an alert guard against all social atrocities; a vitriolic analyst and severe critic of discriminatory practices; a sentinel to warn of all impending retrogressive social trends and tendencies. The People's Observer is not financed or subsidized by any partisan group, organization or individual. I The People's Observer bases its whole program on the goal of equality of opportunity for all minority peoples to share fully in the political, economic and public life of the col.intry. The problems of the Negro people shall be shown to be related to those of other National minority groups and to the world issues created by the War and to the International arrangements resulting after it. Member of the Associated Negro Press, Calvin's Newspaper Service, Ted Yates Publications, Inc., Independent Press Service. This newspaper reserves the right to print for publication all press dispatches, features and photos forwarded by these agencies or otherwise credited to them. ~·· INI)EX TO THE FUTURE Partisan political loyalties and attachments are not customary identifying characteristics of this publication. However, a positive effort has been exerted on previous occasions to serve as a medium of political clarity for the people of this community who rely upon progressive analysis and criticisms for understanding. This policy has been followed diligently and relentlessly because we have come to realize that our readers are largely persecuted and oppressed citizens. These citizens must know the truth regardless of the mental anguish it may create. of color is seriously involved. Thi~ i~:;u~ looms directly as the most ============================= Wallace Pledges No Discrimination The coming election has certain ne~essary and ir~evitable implications for minority peoples residing in the B nited States. For example, the proclaimed national policy, of equality of opportunity irrespective I significant and deserving of serious ·rtten,ion from 1'\egro voters. At L ptesent the role of the .Kegro people in American life is unquestionablv ew that of serfs. Consequently, fir~t anrl. uppermost in the minds of fre~ dom loving ~egroes is what method:; of ~truggle are suited to changing and improving the current position o · th~ _•egro people. The many conflicts, over" helming confusion, ps~·chic hysteria and painful sacrifices that have spru11;; out of this war, and the perplexing national and international arnngements that will come after it, are all products of political thinki 1g and decisions. This realization demands that Negroes put forth nry effort to become politically astute for their own destinies are ce'1trally linked with their future political actions. For the first time in history the --egro voters of America are in the position of being able to determine the outcome of the impending election in communities where they I aH never before experienced such a privilege. This is due to the fact that among white voters registrations for both the democratic and republican parties are nearly equal. In order that this distinct adYantage will not be lost, it is manLew \Vallace, democratic na tiona! committeeman for Oregon, told a rireeting of the Negro Democratic clt\bs of Or.egon at the East Side Elb hall Wednesday, Aug. 30, rhat a letter he sent recently to federa! officeholders asking contributions ro the Roosevelt campaign represented ''merely an opportunity for them to do what any good democrat should do; namely, to support justifiably condemn the soldiers, white or Negro, but only blame datory for every Negro voter here to register who can satisfy the state h 1 · · h 1 h · . . · t e :mt 1ontres w o et sue a srtrequrrements for. votrng. If the task of registering to vote is taken · f h 1 1 · l . h 1 · . u~.tron oment t at cou d resu t m 1g t Y, or mdulged m only to the extent of the monetarv compensa- 1, · d d If . h ]' · ,1 !JOt. tons awar e se IS po rtical functionaries for their false promises I '· ld · h d . · h 1 · ' tauan so 1ers, tau~Yht to hate t en 1saster IS t e u trmate result. Already there are indications of ~ A f .. 11"' · b . k . . . . . nvn- rvan races wa \' deteated petty 1c enng and mdec1s1ve actron on the part of egro politicians b h · · ' · ' h f h . roug t mto a strange land w o ancy t emselves as bemg members of the "inner circle" of certain h · · ' . f' . . . t rown mto contact with non-An•- ,egments o the Amencan poltt1cal scheme. These victims of grandiose h h ld b , · d 1 · . . . ans-w at s ou e expected r e uswns must prepare to rev1se the1r tact1cs and develop a sincerity M d M. A · h f . . . . r. an rs. menca, w en o purpose or cause themselves and therr people agomzmg grief on the d d h · 1 d · f we rea an ear of accounts of >·Ocla an economic rants. · th1s order, we must realize these Guest Editorial THE FORT LAWTON INCIDENT By EuGENE ARNOLD The question again comes to the forefront: for what purpose is this war or these wars being fought- -( 1) for democracy-emphasizing the four freedoms? (2) for white supremacy? (3) or for controlling powers for certain financial cliques of imperialist nations? riot was caused by the "easy life" of the Italians, the blame may be placed on the military authorities. On the other hand, the Italians are said to have oftentimes made "funny remarks" concerning the Negro troops, thus causing the troops to think. back to past happenings-being rebuked, insulted, or snubbed at various affairs, occasions and enterprises. It could have been a grouping up of white and Negro troops, with the Negro troops being pushed forth to commit the actual violare Negro American boys from Chicago, Seattle, H o u s ton , Charleston, or San Francisco, or other American communities who have been risking their lives to protect their homeland. It wasn't bad enough to segregate them in army camps, not only in the south, but in the west and the north, giving them inferior treatment, be compared to other soldiers, but finally to accord the conquered enemy far superior treatment than is permitted to them. What do you think? You be the judge, giving a fair and just decision. Who is to blame? Wake up America! Continue to READ ... in a small way financially the democratic campaign for the re-election of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who has done more for the forgotten man, the common man, so l:J speak, than all the presidents from \Vashington to Roosevelt combined." "I want to know and be able to say that our peoplr here :lt home earning good salaries, living in peace and plenty, are doing just as much in their way as those who are offering their lives, their fortunes and their esteemed services in foreign lands. "I want to say that I consider it my pnvilege and my duty as national committeeman of the democratic party to see that as far as possible every Oregon boy and girl is given an opportunity, when he or she returns, to receive a position in the employ of the federal government, or elsewhere, if they so desire. If I am not able to do my full duty as national committeeman, then some one else is welcome to the job. "In offering my services in behalf of our fighting service men and women I want it to be known that my every act and endeavor will be without the slighest referer-ce to race, color, creed or sex, and I shall dedicate the major portion of my services as national Committeeman to the end that full and complete recognition will be given in a material way to all service men and women." Join the NAACP. You are not going to win any fights alone. With the recent outbreak at Fort Lawton, one wonders just where the real causes lie, and just where the blame may be placedon the Italians who are members of a service unit, the Negw or white troops stationed the.re, or the military authorities in charge. If said ence. Regardless of the causes, a criminal act has been committed on human beings. Yet one cannot THE PEOPLE'S OBSERVER NEGRO OWNED - NEGRO ·CONTROLLED Our eyes are never closed to Minority Problems! August 31, 1944 Letter to the Editor: • • • Strike at Swan Island The latest feeling of race hatred here in this yard (Swan Island Shipyard) seeped to the surface and became visibly inflamed on August 7th, when it affected not only thoughts, but actions. Eighty percent of the white electricians walked out ... This striking action not only parallels, but equals sabotage. An investigation is urged by the. federal government to seek the leaders of this atrocious act. The~· are guilty of viol~tion of the SmithConnally anti-strike law. The strikers elected to sacrifice their brothers on the battlefront, rather than control their personal prejudices. These stupid people prefer to pamper their hoarded feelings instead of working to end the war. They prefer to inflict millions of dollars lost in manhours on the nation, and defy their A hate so consuming and contaminating that it refuses to listen and understand . . . Whispering campaigns, insulting signs scra\ded hy imbeciles upon walls of rest rooms, white girls advising each other not tG converse with Negro Americans. This, in reality, is fascism ... un-American activity. When will these individuals be apprehended? How long must their plague baffle, kill, and oppress? Are the minds of men unable to devise an anti-serum for this disease? The tension here is great. There has been no attempt by the company to substantiate their promises of promoting a mixed crew. The root of the strike can easily be traced to t'he company. The supervisor on one occasion before a hearing of the F,E.P.C. stated that in his opinion no Negro should be upgraded higher than a journeyman. This is evidence of the fact that when the social attitude of the official is reflected, it crystalizes in the minds of the subordinates. The strikers returned to work t'he following day, after being told to do so by the union. The company refused to take any steps to reprimand any of those involved. It is also true that four leadmen (company men) participated in the walk-out. Mr. Olsen, a leader in the strike, was with-drawn for two days and then reinstated, but when Walter Carrington, who has been foremost in fighting for Negro rights, was withdrawn, he h<ts yet to be reinstated. By a well-pondered choice this company has elected to defy and betray the United States government, refusing to allow some American citizens their rights and equality. The Negro Americans are contributing their share toward the support of the nation, in bonds, work, fighting, and vheir lives! A WORKER Swan Island Shipyard. Don't forget the Negro people will have many new friends as election day draws nearer!
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